Surf With Amigas runs week-long, all-inclusive surf and yoga retreats, mostly for women, at several beach locations, with most trips in Costa Rica and Nicaragua. It's best for beginner to intermediate surfers who want patient coaching, gentle yoga and a fun group, and it also offers 50+, advanced, family and all-gender weeks.
What it's like
Surf With Amigas is a retreat company rather than a single property. It was founded by surfer Holly Beck, who co-owns it with Jackie George, and it runs week-long surf and yoga trips at a rotating set of beach locations. When we first wrote about it, the trips were mostly in Nicaragua. Today the busiest bases are in Costa Rica, with regular weeks in Nicaragua and Mexico and occasional trips much further afield.
The feel is friendly, social and encouraging. The team describes the retreats as a place for women to inspire each other in surfing and in life, and coaching is built for every age, body type and level. Most weeks are women-only, though a growing number are open to all genders or families.
The schedule for late 2026 and 2027 is full of dates, and many weeks were already booked out when we checked, which tells you the company is busy and well established.
The programs
A standard retreat lasts a week and is all-inclusive. Surf coaching is the main event: lessons on the beach, one-to-one help in the water, classroom sessions and daily video review so you can see what's working. Each day there's an optional slow yin or restorative yoga class, held in an open-air space overlooking the ocean or the jungle.
Between sessions there are local adventures. Depending on the location, these can include horseback riding on the beach, hikes to waterfalls, zip lines, market visits and a beach bonfire night.
The current location list includes:
- Costa Rica: a southern Back to Nature retreat, a southern Longboard House, a northern base near Palm Beach and central rainforest villas
- Nicaragua: a northern eco resort and a northern bay retreat
- Mexico: El Muro and short Baja trips
- Further afield: Peru, Morocco, northern Spain, South Sumatra and an island in eastern Indonesia
Special formats include Golden Amigas for surfers 50 and over, holistic surf coaching weeks, advanced clinics (including a tube-riding week in Nicaragua and a coaching clinic in Sumatra), family weeks where kids are welcome and all-gender retreats.
Who it suits (and who it doesn't)
This is ideal if you're a woman who has always wanted to learn to surf and would rather do it with a supportive group than at a crowded surf school. The website calls it a true beginner surf camp, but it also caters to intermediates and has dedicated advanced trips. Women from 15 up are welcome on the women's weeks, and you can ride any kind of board.
It's less suited to anyone after a quiet, solo wellness break or an intensive yoga program. The yoga here is gentle and supports the surfing, not the other way around.
Getting there
Each location has its own travel details, which the team shares when you book. Retreats in Nicaragua generally mean flying into Managua, and the northern Costa Rica base is a short drive from Liberia's international airport. Check the specific retreat page before booking flights.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need any surfing experience?
No. Most retreats welcome complete beginners, and coaching covers everyone from first-timers to advanced surfers. Some trips, like the advanced clinics and some international weeks, ask for more experience.
Are the retreats only for women?
Most are, but the schedule also includes all-gender weeks and family retreats where kids are welcome.
How long is a retreat?
Most are seven nights. A few run longer, like the Indonesian trips, and there are short four-day mini retreats in Baja.
Is there a retreat for older surfers?
Yes. Golden Amigas weeks are designed for surfers aged 50 and over.
How far ahead should I book?
Popular weeks fill up. When we checked in October 2026, many dates into early 2027 were already full. See dates and locations on the Surf With Amigas website.
